US Embassy Charge D'Affairs Stephanie Hallet was the first speaker, "We are proud to have been part of hostage and ceasefire deals. It's fragile and difficult, but it's something we work on every day. But we must continue that work. As you heard from President Trump and Secretary Rubio - the priority at the moment is getting all of the hostages out as soon as possible. We will continue to do this work every day."

"It has been the highest of highs to hug American citizens who have returned from captivity. And it has been the lowest of lows to hug American families, such as the Goldberg-Polins, as they buried their loved ones, and tell them that we failed. All of us failed."

"That is why we continue our work for the hostages and everyone in this region. We will work with Israel to ensure they those in captivity can be brought home, and that all those who live here, can live in security."

Rabbi Moshe Hauer was called on to present Hallet with the CoP's gift of appreciation. 

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion was the next speaker::

"It is truly good to be among friends—friends who have stood by Israel, especially in these difficult months. Your unwavering support has given us strength, and we are deeply grateful.

"First, as he returns to the White House, I send from here, my thanks to President Donald Trump for his historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the U.S. Embassy here. His bold leadership made clear a truth we have always known—Jerusalem is the heart of our people and our nation.

"This year, we mark 50 years of welcoming the Conference of Presidents to Jerusalem. For half a century, you have gathered here in Jerusalem to strengthen the bond between American Jewry and Israel. You have stood with us in times of joy and in times of struggle. Now, more than ever, that unity is so important.

"Jerusalem is more than a city—it is the soul of our people. Every year, you choose to hold this conference here. That choice is meaningful. It is a declaration that Jerusalem is, and always will be, the united and eternal capital of the Jewish people.

"Tonight, as we are here, our hearts are with the hostages still held in Gaza. We will not rest until every single one of them is brought home. I call on all of you, and on all leaders of the free world, to demand their immediate release.

"I have another job for you all too. For the first time in three generations, it is not so easy to come to Jerusalem. That is why I ask you—bring your children here. Bring the children of the American Jewish community here. Make sure that every Jewish child knows the streets of Jerusalem, feels its history, and understands that this is their home.

"As the prophet promised: "עוד יישמע בערי יהודה ובחוצות ירושלים קול ששון וקול שמחה"—"Once again will be heard in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sounds of joy and happiness."

"Together, let us make sure that Jerusalem remains alive in the hearts of every Jewish child. Thank you, and welcome to Jerusalem!" 

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke with security at a very high level for those who attended.

"Within a year and some months, the courage of our soldiers, the stalwart position of our people, and the decisions that we made turned things around. We decimated much of Hamas. We haven't finished the job, we will. Israel will destroy Hamas' military and governing capabilities; Gaza will look differently."

"We changed the Middle East. Now comes President Trump, and Secretary Rubio, who's a great friend of Israel as well. I've seen him over the years, and we had a great discussion today. And we talked about how do we complete the change in the Middle East. We have the greatest friend of Israel in the White House now. We have, we see eye to eye on the main tasks that we have to accomplish, and we're in a position to change the Middle East and give Israel the kind of horizon, the kind of hope, the kind of security, and the kind of peace that would have been unimaginable, and in fact was unimaginable, from the day of the founding of the State of Israel.

"We've had great victories in the past. The most important one was the Six-Day War. But the possibilities that loom today before us have never been before us before. They have never been available to us as they are now.

"Now, we intend to pursue them to the full. We see eye to eye with the US administration, President Trump and his administration, first of all on accomplishing the immediate three goals that we have in Gaza. One is to achieve the release of all our hostages. The second, as I said, is to destroy Hamas. The third is to ensure that Gaza has a different future, that we don't just go back, same old same old same old. And there I have to say that President Trump has presented a bold new vision and the only plan that I think can work to enable a different future for the people of Gaza, for the people of Israel, for the surrounding areas.
 
"Why not give Gazans a choice? Everybody said this is the largest open-air prison in the world. Not because of us. We let people leave. In fact, if you want to know, over the last couple of years, two years I think, 150,000 Gazans left. You know how they left? Because they bribed their way out, not through us. They bribed their way out. The rich could leave, but if other people wanted to leave, give them a choice, not forcible eviction, not ethnic cleansing. In a war zone, people leave. 

"We tried to get the population to leave, to get them out of harm's way, and Hamas, with rifles, with gunfire, tried to prevent them from leaving. So we moved them around so that they would get out of harm's way. But if people want to leave, if they want to emigrate, it's their choice. And I think President Trump's plan is right on the dot."

To conclude his remarks, the Prime Minister said:

"I think today everybody recognizes that Israel has never been as strong as it is now. The American-Israeli alliance has never been as strong as it is now, and the Jewish people have never been as strong as they are now. That strength is based on our partnership, it's based on the resolve of our people, it's based on the belief in our great traditions, it's based on our faith, in our past and in the future as well. And I think that together, the greatest days are still before us.

"So I hope that next time that we meet, come back next year, you'll see the difference, even greater differences than you see now. I look forward to your next 50 years. Thank you. Thank you, friends."

William Daroff, CEO of CoP, followed the address by PM Netanyahu, before dinner was served.

"Mr. Prime Minister,

Thank you for once again joining us. Tonight, we embark on a truly historic occasion — the 50th Annual Mission of the Conference of Presidents to Israel. As we prepared for this milestone, we came across countless images of you over the years, speaking at a majority of those past 50 missions in various capacities. Your enduring presence and steadfast support are deeply meaningful, and we are honored to welcome you once again. Thank you for your unwavering friendship and leadership.

"The most important message we bring tonight is this: the bond between American Jewry and the people of Israel remains unshakable. The motto of the Conference of Presidents is "Strength Through Unity." That unity extends across American Jewry, the global Jewish community, and the enduring alliance between the United States and Israel. Mr. Prime Minister, as you know well, the Jewish people are strongest when we stand together. Likewise, Israel and the United States are strongest when we stand as one.
Since its founding, the Conference of Presidents has served as the central voice of American Jewry on U.S.-Israel relations and as the bridge between our communities. These missions are not simply symbolic   — rather, they are a testament to our ongoing commitment to strengthening this bond, not merely in words or advocacy, but in action. For decades, we have bridged the ocean between our two nations, reinforcing our shared destiny.

"We welcome the continued deepening of U.S.-Israel relations, as reflected in your historic meeting with President Trump last week and Secretary of State Rubio’s visit today. The alliance between our nations — our governments and our peoples — is built on a foundation of shared values and an unbreakable history, forged over decades and even centuries. The Conference of Presidents is proud to stand as a pillar of that foundation.

"Tonight, we gather at a pivotal moment in Jewish history. This is our fourth mission of American Jewish leaders to Israel since October 7th — nearly 500 days ago. We stand here with one clear and unwavering message:
• American Jewry stands united with the people of Israel in demanding the immediate return of our hostages; and,
• We stand resolute in supporting Israel’s absolute right to defend itself and to ensure the total eradication of Hamas.

"Mr. Prime Minister, our history shows unity is our greatest strength. It has allowed the Jewish people to survive and thrive for 3,500 years, and it will continue to sustain us in the challenges ahead. 

May we all be blessed to see that peace soon."

Included in the photo essay are the speakers, CoP delegates, and Ofir Akunis the Consul General of Israel in New York.